Steering mechanism for motor-vehicles.



110.806.612. f PATENTBD DBG.5,'1905.

` H. W. ALBEN.-

STEERING MECHANISM POR MOTOR VEHICLES. ArrLIoATIoN FILED/JUNE 1e, 1902.

asnsn'rs-SHEBT 1.

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10.806,612. y PATENTED-DBG.5,1905.-

` H. W. ALBEN.

STEERINGMEGHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APIALIOATION FILED .TUNE 16, 1902.

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PATBNTBD DEU. 5, 1905.

` H. W. ALmzN.l STEERING MEGHANISM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION ILED 11111216, 1902.*l k

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UNITED sTATEs `PATENT AoE-EICE.

HERBERT w. ALBEN, oE HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, Ass-IGNoR To ELEC. TRICVEHICLE COMPANY, or JERsEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CoRPoRA TIoN oENEw,`JERSEY.

ST-EjERING MECHANISMYFOR I VIOTORiVEHlCLES.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern/f Be it knownthat LHERBERT W. ALDEN, acitizen of the United States, residing in Hart.- yford, in the'county ofHartford, State 0f Con necticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Controlling Mechanism for Motor-Vehicles, of which thefollowing-is a specification, reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawings, forming a parthereof.

Thls invention relates A1n general to operat- Ing mechanism, and moreparticularly to steering mechanismfor 'motor-"vehicles or the parts ofsuch manipulated Aby the operator, and con`` nections between such partsfor ltransmitting the operating movements to the deiecting or steeringroad-wheels.

the vital points of construction,lit is necessary that these parts besubstantially made,

so that they will resist wear under usual use. and reslst any ordlnaryor exc'esslvestralns they are liable to be subjected to. Furthermore,the parts should bee'asily operated by ,the occupant, while beingconvenient and not encumber any more than necessary the occuf Amove thesteering wheel orlever operated by lss the driver to and 'from theV seatfor convenience, one of the objects of my present Invention is animproved constructlon and arrangement for this purpose, and whileso-called partial or total back-lock connections be-p tween thesteering-pillar and wheel-operating 'mechanism' have been usedheretofore it is will not be encumbered by the usual 'apron or..

boot used in 4inclement weather, but rather that it may form a supportfor more securely and effectively attaching the same, so that it willprotect the parts and be adjustable with the steering-pillar.

While described as particularly applicable specic'ation of LettersPatent. Appiigtion sied June 16,1902. seriaiNo. 111,816.

Asthe steeringiof a' road-vehlcle, particularly when. movlngover roughroads or at conslderable speed, 1s onevof j Patented Dee. 5, 1905.

to steering mechanisms, certain novel features of my invention areequally useful in other connectlons, as for operatlng other controllingmeans.

My invention is more fully described here- -inafter with Vreference tothe accompanying drawings, in which it is embodied in practical form,though it will be clearly understood that numerous Variations can bemade.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side viewof the forward portion of anautomobile, showing steering connections embodying my invention. Figi 2is a plan view of the forward steering-wheels of an automobile and thesteering connections shown in Fig. l. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectivelyside elevation and plan of the lower end of the steering-pillar and itsconnections. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the bracket supporting thethrustlbearing of the steering@ pillar, the bearing-blocks being shownopened. Fig. 6 is a thrust-block adapted to be clamped inthe bracket,Fig. 4. Figs. 7 8, and' 9show a modified form of thrust-bearing andsupport for the steering-pillar, being respectively a side elevation ofthebracket opened, plan of the bracket opened,and the special .form ofthrustbearing adapted thereto. Fig. l0 shows the embodiment ofvt'neinvention ,with the thrust-bearing supported in a modiiedarrangement of fioor-bracket, the whole in elevation with associatedparts of the ve.- hicle. Fig. 11 Vshows the construction of Fig." 10 inplan with portions of the body, to which mechanismit is attached. Figs.l2 and 13 show in detail a sliding thrust-bearing bracket,'such asembodied in Figs. 10 and 11; respectively, in side elevation'and rearelevation. VFig. 14 shows a section of the sliding bearingfbracket, thesame takenvertically through the aXisof the steering-.shaft andtransverse of the vehicle. '1

In the embodiment ofmyi'nvention, Ais

Ythe steering wheel or handle, which is vmounted upon a shaft B, which`carries at its lower end .a threaded or toothedvmember C. The

llatter engages a threaded or `toothed block D,

operatively connected withv the" rock-shaft arm E, supported in abracket F and con.- nected with an oscillating arm Gr, which moves IOOV,a rodH, connecting by a flexible joint and .arm .J to turn theroad-,wheel K, which through the arm L, link M, and armfLxopcratessimultaneously the opposite steering# wheel K. In the form shown bracketF is rigidly attached to the framework or body of Ythe vehicle, in whichthere is also attached in .this form the bracket O. This bracket Osupports a thrust-bearing P, in which the steering-pillar B is mounted.In the oscillation of the arm E, which is effected to deiiect theroad-wheels, the end of that arm moves in an arc of a circle, andtherefore not always in the axis of the steering-pillar in case thelatter should be stationary. To accommodate this motion of anoscillating arm of this sort lin a steering mechanism, it has heretoforebeen usual to embody relatively complicated connections, so that theengaging members will not be strained or wear excessively and not besubjected to lost motion. In this invention I have supported the block Dby trunnions in the end of this arm, and the thrust block or bearingcarrying the steering-pillar B, I also support, so that it when inoperating position is susceptible of slight oscillation. Thisoscillation of the pillar-support is substantially about an axisparallel with the axis of oscillating arm E. To this end block l) hastrunnions d, supported in bearings e, while E is forked to carry theblock and has a long bearing e', suported in the bracket F, the longbearing eectually preventing movement due to distorting strains. Shaftf, carried in ample bearings in bracket F, firmly supports arm E andalso supports the depending arm G, so that the slightest movement of the'armE due to the movement of block D, effected by a rotation of screw C,is immediately transmitted without any lost motion to the depending armG and through suitable connections, such as those described, to theroad-wheels. The thrust-block P, supported on the pillar B, engages thecollar b, while lock-nuts and b coacting therewith prevent longitudinalmovement of the steeringeshaft. It will be noted in the form illustratedthat the plate F has two bearings, intermediate of vwhich the arm E issupported, while Eis secured to a shaft projecting laterally beyond oneof the bearings in F and has attached to itthe arm G. Thus the straindue to the operator moving the arm E is most advantageously resisted bythe arrangement as described, preventing wear and securing maximumstrength with the least weight of material, while it also permits thelocation of the substantially vertical arm G at any point laterally onthe vehicle irrespective of the location of the steering mechanism forthe convenience of the operator by making the supporting shaft or pinlong or short. The shaftv thrust-bearing as described or such ashereinafter mentioned will accommodate any lateral movement of the endof the shaft, not alone that due to a traverse-block moving in an arc.In the various forms of my construction the connections at the lower endof the handle 0".

the shaft may move in many different ways, and the supporting of theshaft accommodates any movement or oscillation, even if non-coincidentwith the normal axis of the shaft. Whether the oscillating part moves ina curve or straight line not coinciding with the normal shaft-axis thethrust-bearing will accommodate the consequent lateral displacement ofthe lower shaft end without any cramping, increased wear, or otherdisadvantage.

Forthe advantageous operation of a steering mechanism of this sort it isvery necessary that the thrust-bearing on the shaft be held insubstantially fixed relation with the bearings of the part oscillated bythe shaft. In this case the bracket F, supporting the rockshaft, shouldbe held in fixed relation with the bracket O, supporting the bearings P.With these bearings in substantially rigid relation the slightestmovement due to the threaded part in the form shown will cause animmediate response in oscillation of the depending arm G, andconsequently defiection of the steering road-wheels. Then convenient, Iwould prefer to embody these bearings in the same casting or built-uppiece to insure this relative rigidity. However, in the form shown thereare some other advantages in having the traverseblock and theoscillating bearing on the shaft some distance apart, for the reasonthat the slight movement of the lower end of the shaft due to the arcdescribed by the arm G, which only amounts substantially to the versesign of the angle of oscillation of arm G from its central position,causes a deflection of the hand-wheel. In practice with the bearingsconveniently located in ordinary construction the oscillation of thehand-wheel due to this cause would probably be less than an inch; buteven if more than this as the maximum is reached only when turning thewheels hard over, and therefore very seldom, it would be noinconvenience.

In. order that the steering hand wheel or lever can be moved out of theway of the operator when the vehicle is stopped or at any time forconvenience in the forms shown in Figs. l to 6, inclusive, thethrust-bearing P vis constructed with trunions p, engaging in hingedbearings o, which latter can be released simultaneously by the latches0', connected by It will be seen that the handleo (shown in the dottedposition in Fig. is made long enough toreach round the rear side of thesteering-pillar, so that upon releasing it the hinged parts of thebearing will move suiiiciently to permit the trunnions to pass forwardthereover, and so enable' the operator to move the whole steering-shaftand thrustbearing forward into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig.l. In the latter figure a latch or clamp R is engaged by thetrunnion-block, so as to hold it in place temporarily,while clamps maybe provided so that the steering-shaft itself will be held.

IOO

In the construction shown in Figs. 7 8, and

9 the thrust-bearing on the shaft has a portion p', sphericallyfashioned instead of .with supporting-trunnions, which isclamped into aspherical bearing O". This spherical bearing permits the necessaryslight oscillation of the steering-pillar and also enables the latter tobev securely clamped andl released by the movement of a single latchwhich, as' shown, is adjustable in orderv to take up any wear that maytake place in the spherical bearing'. This construction of sphericalbearing can lbe very advantageously supported 'in a movable bracket,.asshownin Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive,

instead of in the fixed bracket O. However, e such a slidingbracket-,support is .not solely adapted to such a thrust-bearing,butbcan also- I be made to embody other forms of bearingsas,forinstance, such with trunnions-'though I prefer the form shown.

In Figs. 10 to. 14 thrust-bearing P is supported in thebracketU by meansof a seat and complementary screw-cap with locking means,

sol that the same may be adjustably'held in such position. The movablebracket U, with slotted sides Vu, is supported by the engagement of thelatter with plates V, rigidly held onthe-frameworkor body. These guidesare also rigidly connected with the basey or supporting-bracket F, andtherefore with the` bearings of the `bell-crank E G, so that thethrust-bearing on theA rotating or operating i shaft. will vbe held infixed relation withfthe bearings of the oscillated member'E. In someforms I prefer to secure this rigidity, as already mentioned, byembodying the supporting means for these bearings or their bases in anintegral casting, so as to absolutely prevent.

any displacement. On the movable bracket U, I secure a footipress W,connected to operate a latch X,w.hich engages in holes in the guides, soas to lock the movable bracket in predetermined positions. It will beseen in this latter construction that by pressing upon the foot-piece'Wthe latch X is drawn and the back ofthe foot-press engages with thepillar,`

so that a .further pressure exerted bythe foot is against the pillar andwithout. further straining the small Lparts operating the latch enablesthe occupant to vpush the whole pillar forward is alwaysoperativelyheld, no matter what po-,

sition the steering-shaft is infso that in case the vehicle should startwhen the occupant has not drawn the steering-wheel into convenientvposition the vehicle will still be under perfect control and thesteering-wheels always operatively connected. vAs the movement of thepillar forward away from the operatorie abouta center in the oscillatinglever E, the bracket U should move inf the arc of a circle which,

however, is not of great curvature for the ang'ularity of throw usuallynecessary; but in some cases I would construct the guides V' on an arcabout the normal center of forward oscillation ofthe steering-shaft,which would then necessitatemachining the engaging bearings or bracket Uto fit the curve, which would and general advantages lof theconstruction. vIn this construction the'screw portion C is aseparatemember attached, as I'have shown in Fig. 10, .by means of lcollars ornuts, or it can be secured vby any mechanical means. To allow for theoscillation of the steering-shaft in the movable bracketi n the formshownv a slight opening is necessary, which I cover by means of aleather or other small cap Y.

In the parts ofi-a steering mechanism with whichmy invention deals ingeneral presentv` construction in some cases involves the embodiment ofthe thrust-bearing of the shaft andthe-bearing of themembers oscillatedby the shaft in close proximity. When this is done, the bearingsupporting the shaft and supporting the oscillating bel1-crank or leversis easily made in'one piece, such asa casting, and can therefore be,.machlned, so that the bearings will 'be very accurately located withrespect to each other. If it is desirable to have the thrust-bearing andthe oscillating. shaft-bearing some distance 4apart,fthis maichiningisnot so -readily accomplished and there is more tendency for relativedisplacement of lthe bearings, while with built-up 'parts in theframework of the vehicle or-in conjunction with the frameworkof thevehicle it may in .cases .be more expensive to secure absolute accuracyin the relative locationV of these bearings, and for this latter reasonmy construction holds'out distinct advantages.: It will be seen thatwith the spherical joint or thrust-bearing, as. sho'Wn in some-ofthe{igures, lthere is provision made for oscillating in atr least'v onedirection, and this can be increased to permit deflection of thevsteering shaft in other directiohs as well. In addition to this I soarrange the engaging member on the oscillating lever as to permitdifferent angularity`v of the steering-shaft. socket jointwith sidewings to prevent rota- A ball-and? A tion meets the requirements at thatend ofthe p steering-shaft, and if the engaging threaded block is somounted inthe oscillating lever it will be seen that the bell-cranklever and bearings can. be permanently-secured on vthe framework withoutaccurate alinement withthe. upper shaft-bearing ork bearing-bracket,

erator.

which can then be secured to the framework permanently and irrespectiveof the precise `position of the former bracket. This absence of anecessity for absolute alinement of the parts would greatly facilitateassembling the mechanism, and having the ball-joints it will be seenthat any disalinement is entirely compensated for in the joint, which inspite of the disalinement avoids any chance of cramping or jamming ofparts. This would also enable the hand operating-wheel on a vehicle tobe located differently in vehicles under construction without changingthe whole system of steering connections and would only involve alateral or other desired displacement of the steering-shaft-supportingbracket. A displacement of this shaft quite oblique to the plane ofmovement of the oscillating lever would of course not be desirable; butthere is no trouble in any slight Obliquity.

Under circumstances it is desirable to have the steering-wheel protrudethrough and clear of the boot or apron, as the horn orcontrolling-levers are sometimes attached to it, and some of these mustnot be under cover or inside for intelligent manipulation by the op- Forthis purpose a grooved collar Sis embodied near the upper end of thesteering-pillar B, and the boot T is secured in this groove, effectuallyprotecting the occupant and parts covered from the weather. By thisarrangement the operator is not encumbered in the operation of thehand-wheel or associated parts, and when throwing the wheel forward theboot or apron is simultaneously carried forward out of the way of theoccupant by the same operation to afford an unhindered exit, but stillprotecting the parts of the steering mechanism. The apron or boot forthis purpose is made with a circular hole and preferably steelspring-eyelet to clamp into the grooved collar, while from one side ofthe hole there is a slit and iiap large enough to permit the entire robeto be put over the wheel.

INhile the grooved wheel in the accompanying drawings is shown aslocated on the rotating shaft, this need not be the case. In someconstructions I prefer to run a casing from the supporting bearing orbracket upward to or near the hand-wheel. and under those circumstancesI can embody the grooved wheel on this non-rotating sleeve. The wholeconstruction, however, would comprise the steeringpillar, whether withor without a sleeve, so that it may be said that theadvantageous'construction involves the location of the grooved collarsupported on anything as long as the groove encircles the shaft-that is,on the pillar--and located below the operating-wheel and above thevehicle-body-supporting mechanism.

I do not Wish to confine myself to the precise features or details ofconstruction hereinbefore described and shown, as my invention may becarried out with various modifications or in some cases reversal ofparts, still embodying its advantages and its main features.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A steering mechanism for autolnobiles comprising a rotating shaft, abearing for said shaft supporting it solely against axially longitudinalmovement, a threaded or gear portion on said shaft, engaging threaded orgear portion cooperating therewith, the latter mounted in a two-armedlever, connections from said lever to the steering-wheels'wherebyrotation of the shaft causes a deiection of the road-wheels to steer thevehicle.

2. In a steering-gear for automobiles, a rotating steering-shaft,athreaded portion thereon, an engaging threaded portion supported tooscillate on the body or framework of the vehicle, a thrust-resisting`universal bearing, an oscillating member depending below the body orframe of the vehicle and connections to steering-wheels relativelymovable with respect to the body.

3. In an automobile, controlling connections including a rotating shaft,an oscillated member connected therewith, a jointed thrustbearing forsaid shaft and jointed connection with said oscillating member wherebyoperation between the two will be effective by the rotationfof thesteering-shaft irrespective of their relative displacement out of acommon plane, as and for the purpose described.

4. In an automobile, controlling connections including a rotating shaft,a back-lock transmission mechanism, a iiexible thrustbearing and meansfor displacing the same on the floor or frame of the vehicle,substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In an automobile, a pillar or shaft for controlling mechanism, meansfor supporting the same for to-and-fro movement, a latch for locking thesame in a predetermined position and a footpress for engaging the pillaror shaft to press the same out of normal position, and connectionswhereby the unlocking of the pillar precedes the forward movement of thepillar.

6. In a steering mechanism for motor-vehicles, a Hoor or frame plate,two bearings on said plate, a lever supported between said bearings, ashaft projecting beyond one of said bearings and a depending armsupported thereby to oscillate a member of the steering connections, theunsupported end of said lever being two-armed and coacting with atraverse member, means for holding said traverse member, means foractuating said traverse member, substantially as shown and described.

7. In a steering mechanism for vehicles, a rotating steering-shaft, agrooved collar on said shaft in proximity to its upper end, an operatinghand-wheel at said upper end, operating connections at the lower end ofsaid IOO shaft whereby a rotation of the shaft effects a movement ofconnections to the steeringwheels.

8. In a steering mechanism for vehicles, a steering-pillar, an operatinghand-wheel at the upper end thereof, agrooved collar support.-

ed on the pillar in proximity to the upper end,

operating connections at the lower end of the pillar whereby'rotation ofa member of the'- pillar eiects almovement of the connections tothesteering-wheels- 9. In a steering mechanismfor vehicles, a rotatingshaft, an operating hand wheel or le- Ver atthe upper end thereof, agrooved co'llar supported belowthehand-w'heel, ahinged support wherebysaid steering-shaft and collar are moved to vand fro.

yl0. In combination in a hinged steeringpillar for vehicles, anoperating handwheel or lever and means adapted for the attachment ofanencircling 'boot orweather-apron.

l1. In an automobile steering equipment,

rotating steering-shaft, mechanism at they low'erj end of saidshaftcoperating to oscill'ate a pivoted member, and connections to the,steering wheel, an operating hand wheelor lever at the upper end ofsaid shaft`- normally in proximity to the drivers seat, a support on thevehicle-body 'for a readily-detachable thrust-bearing on said shaft.This specification signed and witnessed this 141th day of June, A.11.1902.

HERBERT W. .ALDEN. In presence of-. I A

CHARLES G. HUNTINGTON, M. L. CLARK.

